<p>The title turned into a question is what this thread is all about. How much of a role does class rank play in Admission at Top Schools, and I mean it's importance relative to standardized test scores. I realize that college admission is an "holistic" approach and no one factor is decisive on it's own, but, assuming all other factors constant (which is impossible I know like in essays), does a kid who is rank 1/440 with a 4.0 unweighted GPA and a 31 ACT have a better chance than a kid with a rank 9/440 (I choose these numbers at random) and 4.0 unweighted GPA and a 35 ACT at the same school (The class rank at our school is based on who has the highest weighted GPA, since getting a A in AP classes gives you a boost)?</p>
<p>probably the 9/440 – 35. They dont compare on a school to school basis so they won’t make the connection that you are ranked higher then X person at the same school.</p>
<p>Espically if the 9/440 – 35 has straight A’s, they dont punish you for not taking the most AP classes you can possibly take, as long as said person challenged his or her self then their will be viewed as nearly on par with yours i would assume. Not that being #1 isn’t a significant boost to your application though…</p>